Island Sounds
Hawaiian steel-guitar nostalgia from four contemporary artists

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"Hawaiian Steel, Vol. 2" by Bobby Ingano, Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen and Greg Sardinha, SmaKine SKCD 1217: Four active steel-guitar musicians each perform three tunes on this potpourri package that illuminates and isolates the nostalgic quality of the instrument.

Steel, certainly, is very much present on the Hawai'i music scene. But its tranquil, far-off, idyllic sound often gives it a stamp of nostalgia, of being from another era.

And partially because of song choices (or design), the selections here transport the listener to bygone eras. Ingano's "Beauty and Harmony," with its soulful, solitary mood, typifies this motif, in kind of a time-travel spirit.

Olsen's "My Rose of Waikiki" also has a delightful split personality; of far-off paradise laced with sunshine, switching to a lightly jazz spirit, like a tropical party jam.

Akaka's take on "Hilo March" provides syncopation, one of the live wires on the disc, with sweetly upbeat attitude that retains the marching tempo characteristic of the song.

And Sardinha's "Kewalo Chimes" also projects that brightly frisky marching beat, giving that classic favorite a gentle new massage.

Some bass, guitar and 'ukulele augment the steel glides. If you savor the authentic vibes of yesteryear, this one fits the bill very nicely.

"Beauty & Harmony" by Bobby Ingano, Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen and Greg Sardinha. A 30-second audio sample is available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"Hawaiian Style Music" by various artists, Neos Productions VO52: Eighteen tracks, by more than a dozen artists, make this kind of a contemporary jukebox of Island rhythm hits and potential new favorites. Three tracks have not previously been available.

Fans seem to adopt and endorse compilations with a certain fervor, so why not recycle and repackage?

The bona fide popular items include Ehukai's "Moloka'i Slide," Rising Tide's "Mr. Pole Benda," Darrell Labrado's "Shaka Baby," Keali'i Reichel with Pure Heart's "Ipo Lei Momi," Side Salad's "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)." You've heard them in earlier individual CDs.

But other local faves dot the landscape, too: John Feary's "Palolo," Moke Boy's "Hawaiian Kickboxer," Justin with Pure Heart's "Let Me Take Tonight," Paka Smith's "Nursery Rhymes," Robi Kahakalau with Fiji's "Take Care of Me."

First-time-out tracks include Reality's "Fly Away," Vaihi's "Redemption Song," Ka'ala Boys' "Always and Forever."

Great variety, nifty packaging, easy to appreciate.

"Moloka'i Slide" by Ehukai. A 30-second audio sample is available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.